Trace Branch Campground
Buckhorn Lake — lakeside, fishing
Location: BUCKHORN, KY, KY
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$60 per night
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (34 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Trace Branch Campground, located on Buckhorn Lake, is a great launchpad for outdoor activities in Kentucky’s lush Cumberland Plateau. The facility features plenty of shade and open grassy areas for spreading out and enjoying the landscape of the Appalachian Mountain Range.Nearby destinations include the Lilley Cornett Woods, Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area.Buckhorn lake offers ideal conditions for anglers including seclus
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Showers, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/trace-branch-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Trace Branch Campground on Buckhorn Lake offers excellent muskie fishing in Kentucky's Cumberland Plateau with well-maintained grounds and friendly staff. Google reviewers consistently praised the beautiful mountain setting, comfortable facilities, and welcoming management.
Wildlife alert: White-eyed Vireo, Blackpoll Warbler, Tennessee Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, and Eastern Box Turtle documented in the area
Insider tips for Trace Branch Campground: Book early — it's a federal campground with limited sites (29 total) Water and electricity available at most sites despite listing noting 'no hookups'; confirm with management Arrive late afternoon on weekends for available sites per recent camper reports
Skip Trace Branch Campground if: You need full RV hookups — most sites lack them, suitable only for self-contained RVs. You visit outside May-October — campground is seasonal. You prefer year-round camping access.
Best time to visit Trace Branch Campground: May-October — Official operating season only.
Nearby campgrounds: Buckhorn Day Use (Buckhorn, KY), Buckhorn Campground (BUCKHORN, KY), Carr Creek Lake Shelters (Sassafras, KY), Littcarr Campground (SASSAFRAS, KY).
Cell Phone Coverage at Trace Branch Campground
Cell signal at Trace Branch Campground (BUCKHORN, KY): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The Trace Branch Campground, located on Buckhorn Lake, is a great launchpad for outdoor activities in Kentucky’s lush Cumberland Plateau. The facility features plenty of shade and open grassy areas for spreading out and enjoying the landscape of the Appalachian Mountain Range.Nearby destinations include the Lilley Cornett Woods, Daniel Boone National Forest, Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area.Buckhorn lake offers ideal conditions for anglers including seclusion from fishing pressure and boat traffic, producing some of the best muskie fishing in the area. With comfortable water temperatures,swimming and water skiing are popular in summer months and hikers are encouraged to take advantage of the area’s many miles of trails.Trace Branch Campground boasts mostly waterfront campsites with electric and water hookups.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground with limited sites (29 total)
Water and electricity available at most sites despite listing noting 'no hookups'; confirm with management
Arrive late afternoon on weekends for available sites per recent camper reports
Official operating season only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Lexington, KY, take I-75 south 83 miles to London. Take exit 41 or 38 to Daniel Boone Parkway east and continue 44 miles to Hyden Spur. Exit towards Tim Couch Pass and turn left towards Thousandsticks onto Bull Creek Road. Go 2.5 miles to KY Highway 257, then head north about 9 miles to the Confluence bridge. Turn right and cross the bridge, then take a left on Mosley Bend Road. Continue 2 miles to Trace Branch Campground on your left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Buckhorn Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Buckhorn Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Trace Branch Campground cost per night?+
What season is Trace Branch Campground open?+
Does Trace Branch Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Trace Branch Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Trace Branch Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Trace Branch Campground?+
What season is Trace Branch Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.